2018 Tire Rack Ft Myers ProSolo Fast Notes

This weekend concluded the back-to-back Tire Rack SCCA weekends in Ft Myers, Florida with the 2nd annual Tire Rack Ft Myers ProSolo. The two big debuts for this event were the RaceChick contingency supporting the ladies classes as well as the first properly deep field of SSC entries. For her 2nd place finish in the Ladies Challenge, from the SSCL-filled L4 class, Jennifer Bedell earned a $50 Gift Certificate from RaceChick.

While there was some rain on Saturday, it was mild enough that the classes on street tires still ran. Unlike the other tour events where the fastest time from each session counts, a Pro Solo counts the fastest left and right side times from the whole weekend. This meant that the runs in the rain were basically just for fun, but they were fun!

The Super Challenge had some early departures as well as cars with multiple drivers and classes. Three competitors in a Porsche 997 GT3 were changing tires between runs, with some drivers in SSR and others in SS. David Lineberry lucked out and advanced all the way to the top four because his first three match-ups all departed early, giving him three bye runs. He finished third overall; sometimes being lucky is as good as being skilled.

Pro Solo isn’t just for pros; there were some pros in attendance but we had all levels of driver experience and car prep. It’s the most fun and excitement you’ll have autocrossing. The drag strip starts and mirrored course add a whole new element of tension and adrenaline to the experience.

Despite his Fiesta ST going into limp mode on his last Super Challenge Run, Mike King claimed the event’s top honors.